Apparel garment



W. KOPS.

APPAREL GARMENT.

APPLlCA Tl0N FILED APR. 18, 1922.

1,431,744. Patented Oct. 10,1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

I IN VE W. KOPS.

APPAREL GARMENT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18, 1922.

1,431,744. Patented 00m. 10, 1922.

Q 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. k N

Patented Oct. 10, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALDEMAR KOPS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO KOPS BROTHERS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A COPARTNERSHIP GOMPOSED OF DANIEL KOPS, MA.X KOPS, AND WALDEMAR KOPS.

APPAREL GARMENT.

Application filed April 18, 1922. Serial No. 554,521.

To all, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALDnMAn Kors, a. citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and. State of New York, have invented an Tmprovement in Apparel Garments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparel garment and more particularly to an undergarment which is adapted to be worn next to the body of the wearer. Furthermore, the garment is particularly adapted for womens wear. Heretofore, it has been customary to use an under garment beneath the corset usually worn by women and in many instances in connection with the corset a brassiere or corset cover constructed to also be a bust supporter has also been used. Under certain circumstances, for instance in athletic exercises including many outdoor games and even in dancng, it is sometimes customary for women in order to obtain absolutely free movement of the body to dispense with the corset garment. This obviously is not always advisable in view of the fact that in many cases the body should be supported at least to a certain extent.

The object of my present invention is the provision of a garment which may be utilized to combine the functions of an undergarment, the usual corset garment, and also the brassiere which is oftentimes worn in conjunction with a corset. The garment made in accordance with my invention is constructed of a suitable material and preferably comprises a front or bust member adapted to extend around the body of the wearer and to be connected, preferably adjustably and at the back, the front member being so constructed as to form a support for the busts and also to extend over the abdominal region, and a back member which is so constructed as to extend around the body and to be adjustably connected at the front, preferably over the abdomen, so as to suitably confine and support the portions of the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen of the wearer, as will be hereinafter more particularly described.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the garment made in accordance with my present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the front member.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the back memher, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the parts of the garment showing the front member superimposed upon the back member. Referring particularly to the drawing, my improved apparel garment preferably comprises a front or bust member having a central section 10, front side sections 11 and 12, and extensions 13 and 14 which are adapted to overlie the back slightly above or over the small of the back. These sections are made of any suitable material and are connected along the lines of stitches indicated in the drawing. The upper portions of these sections are so shaped as to con-form to the body of the wearer and to act as a bust supporter when in position on the body, and the central and front side sections are extended to overlie the belly and abdomen and are preferably correspondingly tapered at the opposite edges thereof as indicated at 15 and 16, while the central section as indicated at 17 extends appreciably below the abdomen. The front downward extension of the bust member is termed an abdominal extension, and the term abdomen is not used in its restricted sense, but with its broader meaning which includes the bell and the abdominal region. Also as indicated the lower extremity of the front member may be fitted with suitable tensioning means, such as hose supporters indicated at 18 and 19 by which the lower portion of the front member of the garment is maintained in position.

The extension section 14 is provided with straps 20 and 21 in which there are eyelets 22 and 23. The extension section 13 in corresponding positions is fitted with reinforcing members 24 and 25 to which are secured hooks 26 and 27. The hooks 26 and 27 are adapted to engage in either set of eyelets 22 and 23 in the straps 20, 21 after the front member has been passed around the body of the wearer, this adjustable connection for securing the ends of the front member together being made at the back of the body of the wearer.

It will be observed that the sections 11, 12, and the back extensions 13, 14, are formed so that the sides of the bust member extend upwardly from the lower end of the abdomen extension on diagonal lines extending across the front of the body, substantially just over the hips to the back. The bust member is thus constructed to cover not merely the abdomen and the belly, but additionally, the

sides and a portion of the back. The tension exerted by the tension devices 18, 19, produces a vertical pull affording the much desired straight front effect, and also a diagonal pull which is transmitted across the front of the body substantially just over the hips to substantially the small of the back, where the back extensions are connected. This latter mentioned pull coacts with the circumferential tension produced by the adjustable fastening straps 20, 21, and the hooks'26, 27 to producea supporting tension at the sides and back. The bust member thus has a very complete confining and supporting effect, due to the fact that it covers the busts, sides, belly, abdomen, and a portion of the back, and is tensioned circumferentially at the busts, vertically at the front, and, by the pull of the same tension devices, at the sides and back along a line running from the lower end of the abdominal extension over the hips to the back.

The back or second confining member as illustrated preferably comprises central sections 28 and 29 suitably connected along a line of stitching, and front side sections 30 and 31 connected along suitable lines of stitching respectively to the central sections 28 and 29, and extensions 32 and 33 connect ed along suitable lines of stitching respectivelyto the front side sections 30 and Along the edge thereof the extension section 32 is provided with a reinforcing strip 34 in which there is fitted a series of eyelets 35.

Similarly the edge of the extension section 33 is provided with a reinforcing strip 36 in which there is a correspondin series of eyelets 37. The edges of the front side sections 30 and 31 and the extension sections 82 and -;3 are preferably tapered as clearly indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, and at the lower edges of the side extensions 30 and 31 where the same unite with the central sections 28 and 29 there may be connected suitable tensioning devices such as hose supporters 38 and 39.

The back member may also be made of suitable material preferably corresponding to that of which the front member is 011- structed and the parts of the back member are so shaped that the same is adapted to pass around the body of the wearer to overlie and confine the same in the vicinity of the hips and thighs and to have the front edges adjustably connected by a lace 40 which is threaded through the eyelets 35 and 37 so that when in position the parts of the back member which extend to the front of the body overlie the abdomen and are adjustthe front of the body also assist the front member in performing its functions as a bust supporter. It will be understood that the broad function of the back member is to confine the portions of the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen; its shape may be varied as by cutting-away portions,

should it be found desirable, for any reason, not to confine either the hips or the thighs, or any other lower body portions preferably left uncovered. The parts of the garment, as hereinbefore described, may be suitably connected as indicated in the drawing by shoulder straps 4C1 and 42.

It will be readily understood that the tension placed on the hose supporters 38 and 39 exerts a pull through the back member of the garment directly'to the shoulder straps a1 and 42 which is further transmitted to the front member through the shoulder straps and that the pull thus effected on the shoulder straps causes the garment to function as a shoulder brace when the wearer is in a standing or upright position.

As Wlll now be apparent in placing the garment, as 'hereinbefore described, on the body the front or bust member is first adjustedto position and then the back member is secured in place and certain portions of the baekmember overlie certain portions of the front member, and as hereinbefore stated the garment made in accordance wlth this invention is adapted to be used to combine the functions of an under garment and the usual corset garment, togetherwith the brassiere or bust supporter when the latter is also worn, whereby in the use of this garment absoluted freedom ofniovement of the parts of the body is possible and the use ofthe usual boned and stiff corset may be entirely dispensed with. It will furthermore be apparent that the adjustment of the front or bust member at the back of the insurer is a means for affording support at the small of the back, and furthermorethat thetensiou exerted by this adjustment may be regulated, that is increased or decreased by the degree of tension placed uponthe central portion of the front member by the pull exerted by'the hose supporters 18 and 19, that is to say by placing a greater or lesstension on the hose supporters 18 and19 to increase or decrease member and thereby increase or decrease the tension applied by the adjustable portions of the front member at the small of the back of the wearer.

This last mentioned pull is exerted along diagonal lines extending across the front of the body substantially just over the hips and causes the portions of the bust member at the sides to exert a supporting effect which cooperates With the supporting effect produced by the straight downward pull at the front.

It Will be observed that this garzz'ient is not merely a brace or combined brassiere and corset, but that it attains the supporting and confining eiiects noted, and at the same time, it forms a complete covering -for the body, thus functioning as an undergarment. WVhen constructed of suitable material, it permits free and unrestrained body inovemonts, such as bending at the waistline and free leg movement.

It Will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to the details of construction shown. and minutely described in the foregoing specification. For instance, the members constituting the garment need not be formed in sections which are stitched together, as shown, but may be cut out in any suitable manner, and in tact, each individual member may be shaped from an integral piece,

Again, Where, throughout the specification and claims, I have reterred to the connections between the parts or ends of the separate members as being ljustable, I do not intend to limit the invention to the particular type of adjustable connections employed, since the same result can be effected by obviously equivalent means, such as, tor instance, the use of elastic inserts in the me here; and in interpreting the claims, it Will be understood that Where the prior art permits, the term adjustably connected covers such equivalents. Numerous other details of construction may be modified Within the scope of the invention, the limits of which are to be determined by the prior art, and are more definitely defined in the following claims.

I claim as my invention 1. A garment oi the class described torming a combined undergarment, corset and brassiere, and comprising a bust member adapted to overlie and support the busts, said member having an abdominal region extension and being adapted to extend around the body, the parts of said member being adjustably connected around the body, and a second confining member extending around the body in the opposite direction and across the abdominal region extension of the bust member, said second member being adapted to confine the body in the vicinity of the hips and abdomen, the parts of said second member being adjustably connected, and said members being independently adjustable circumferentially of the body.

2, An article of apparel forming a combined undergarment, corset and brassiere, comprising a bust member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and support the busts, the ends of said member being connected, a second member adapted to extend around the body in the opposite direction to confine the body in the vicinity of the hips and abdomen, the ends of sail last-mentioned member being directly and adjustably connected together, said mem bers being independently adjustable, and shoulder straps connecting said members.

3. An article of apparel forming a C0111" bined undergarment, corset and brassiere, comprising two separated and independently adjustable members, one a bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts and having its free ends adapted to extend around the body to be connected, and the other a member adapted to extend around the body and to confine the same in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen, the ends of said second mem ber being directly and adjustably connected at the front substantially over the abdomen and overlying portions of said bust member.

4. An article of apparel forming a combined undergarment corset and brassiere comprising two separate and independently adjustable members, one a bust member having. a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts and having its free ends adapted to extend around the body to be connected, and the other a member adapted to extend around the body in the opposite direction and to confine the same in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen, said second member also having a portion extending upwardly over the back and over lying portions of said bust member, the ends or said second member being directly and adjustably connected at the tront substantially over the abdomen and overlying portions of said bust member.

5. An article of apparel forming a coinbined undergarment, corset and brassiere, comprising a bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts and a downward extension adapted to overlie the abdominal region, said member be ing adapted to extend around the body, means for adjustably connecting the parts of said member, a second confining member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity oi. the hips, thighs and abdomen and means for adjustably connecting together the ends of said last mentioned member at the front substantially over the abdomen, said ends overlying the abdominal region extension of the bust member.

6. An article of apparel forming a c0inbined undergarment, corset and brassiere,

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comprising a bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts, said member being adapted to extend around the body, means for connecting to gether the free ends of said member, a second confining member adapted to extend around the body in the opposite direction and to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen, the free ends of said second member being connected, and shoulder straps connecting together said members.

7. An article of apparel forming a 001m bined undergarment, corset and brassiere, comprising a bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts and an extension adapted to overlie the abdominal region, said member being adapted to extend around the body, means for connecting together the free ends of said member at the back, a second confining member adapted to extend around the body in the opposite direction and to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen, means for connecting the free ends of said second member at the front, said ends being oi substantial width and overlying the abdomen to afford a compressing eiiect, and shoulder straps connect ing together said members.

8. An article of apparel forming a combined undergarment, corset and brassiere, comprising a bust member having a portion. adapted to overlie and support the busts, and an extension adapted to overlie the ab dominal region, said member being adapted to extend around the body, means for connecting together the free ends of said member, a second confining member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen, the free ends of said second member being connected, shoulder straps connecting said members, and means for exerting a downward tension upon said second member, whereby a pull is exerted through the member to the shoulder straps, causing the garment to act as a brace,

9. An article of apparel forming a combined undergarment, corset and brassiere, comprising a bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts and an extension adapted to overlie the abdominal region, said member being adapted to extend around the body, means for connecting together the free ends of said member, a second confining member adapted to extend around the body in the opposite direction and to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen the free ends of said second member being connected, shoulder straps connecting said. members, and hose engaging and supporting tension devices extending from the lower edge of the second member and 10. iin article of apparel forming a combined undergarment, corset and br assiere, comprising a bust member having aportion adapted to overlie and support the busts and an extension adapted to overlie the abdominal region, said member being adapted to extend around the body, means for adjustably connecting together the free ends of said member at the back, a second confining member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen, means for adjustably connecting the free ends of said second member at the front, means for applying a dowi'iward tension to the lower portion of said bust member whereby a pull is exerted upon said member to ail'ord a straight Front eii'ect and to maintain a tension along a line extending over the hips to the conncction of the free ends of said member at ine back.

iii. An article of apparel forming a com bined undergarment, corset and brassiere, comprising a bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts and an extension adapted to overlie the abdominal region, said member being adapted to extend around the body, means for connecting together the free ends 01'' said member, a second confining member adapted to extend around the body and to o\"(i:rlie and confine the body in the vicinity oi the hips, thighs and abdomen, the free ends of said second member being connected at the front and extending over the abdomen and the extension of said bust member whereby cutting-in by the edges of said second member is avoided, and tension devices extending from the lower edge of said bust member and adapted to be connected to the hose of the wearer, whereby a substantially straight downward pull is. exerted upon said. member to produce a straight lront effect.

12. An article o'lt' apparel forminga com bined undergarment, brassiere and corset, comprising a bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts, a portion adapted to overlie the abdominal region, and portions adapted to overlie the sides, said side portions extending to the back and being adjust-ably connected to gether substantially over the small of the,

back, means for exerting a downward tension at the lower end or said bust member abdominal region extension to produce a straight front effect and to maintain tension along a line extending to said back connection, and a second confining member extending around the body, the ends of said member being of substantial width and adjustably connected together at the front where they overlie the abdominal region extension. 01? said bust member.

13. An article oi apparel forming a combincd undergarment. brassiere and corset, comprising a bust member baring n portion adapted to overlie and supp the busts, a portion adapted to overlie tne abdominal region, and portions adapted to overlie the if lcs, said side portions extending to the back and being adjuemably connected together siiiiistantially over the small of the back, means toucxerting a down Ward tension at the lower end otsaid bust member abdominal region extension to pro duce a straight "front effect and to main tain tension along lines extending to said back connection, and a second confining member extending around the body, the ends of said second member being adjustably connected together at the front and o erlying the abdominal region extension of said bust member.

1a, an article of apparel. forming a combined undergarment, brassiere and corset, comprising bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the buses, a portion adapted to overl e the abdominal region and portions adapted to overlie the sides, said side portions extei'iding to the back and being adjur-itably connected together substantially over the small of the back, means for exerting a downward teir sion at the lower end of said bust member iltlOli'llllill region extension to produce a straight iroi'it eiiect alon lines extending to said back connection, a second confining member around the body in the opposite d: the ends of said second member heir iustably connected together at the front and overlying the abdominal region extension ot said bust member, and shoulder straps connecting said members.

15. A garment of the class described, comprising a bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts, bust side supporting portions of substantial width adapted to extend beneath the arms at the sides of the busts and having extensions overlying substantially the small of the back, said member tapering from the said back extensions downwardly to form a portion adapted to extend over the abdomen, the sides of said bust member extending upwardly from the lower end of said abdominal portion on lines running substantially over the hips to substantially the small of the back, means for connecting said back extensions over the back, and means for exerting a downward tension of said abdominal extension to produce a straight front efi'ect and to exert a tension diagonally upward along lines substantially extending and maintain tension just over the hips to substantially the small of the back.

16. A garment of the class described, comprising a bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts. side supporting portions oi: substantial Width adapted to extend beneath the arms and having extensions overlying substantially the small of the back, said member tapering trom the said back extensions downwardly to form a portion adapted to extend over the abdomen, the sides of said. member extending upwardly from the lower end of said abdominal portion on lines running substantially over the hips to substantially the small of the back, means for ad justably connecting said side portions over the back, and a second confining member adapted to extend around the body and to have its ends connected, said second member being adapted to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen and overlapping the abdominal extension of said bust member.

17. A garment of the class described, comprising a bust member having a portion adapted to overlie and support the busts, side supporting portions of substantial width adapted to extend beneath the arms and having extensions overlying substantially the small of the back, said member. tapering from said back extensions downwardly to form a portion adapted to extend over the abdomen, the sides of said member extending upwardly from the end of said abdominal. portion on lines running substantially ust over the hips to substantially the small of the back, means for adjustably connecting said side portions at the back, a second confining member adapted to extend around the body and to have its ends connected, said second member being adapted to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen and overlying the abdominal extension of said bust member, and shoulder straps connecting said members.

18. An article of apparel forming a combined undergarment, corset and brassiere, comprising a bust member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and support the busts, the ends of said member being adjustably connected, and a second independent member adapted to extend around the body in the opposite direction to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen, the ends of said last mentioned member being of substantial width and juxtaposed over the abdomen, said ends overlapping a portion of the bust member and being adjustably connected.

19. An article of apparel forming a combined undergarment, corset and brassiere, and adapted to cover the body from the busts to the thighs, comprising a bust member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and support the busts, the ends of said member being connected, said member having an extension overlying the abdominal region, and a second confining member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen, said member having its ends adjustably connected at the front over the abdomen, and said. ends being of substantial width and overlying the abdominal region extension of said bust member.

20. An article of apparel forming a combined undergarment, corset and brassiere. and adapted to cover the body from the busts to the thighs, comprising a bust member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and support the busts, the ends of said member being connected, said member having an extension overlying the abdominal region, a second confining member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen, said member having its ends directly connected to each other at the front over. the abdomen, and said ends being of substantial width and overlying the abdominal region extension of said bust member, and means for exerting a downward; tension on the abdominal region extension. of said bust member whereby a straight front effect is produced.

21. An article of apparel. forming a combined undergarment, corset and brassiere. and adapted to cover the body from the busts to the thighs, comprising a bust member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and support the busts, the ends of said member being connected, said member having an extension overlying the abdominal region, a second confining member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips,

thighs and abdomen, said member having its ends connected at the front over the abdomen, and said ends being of substantial width and overlapping the abdominal region extension of said first mentioned member, means for exerting a downward tension on the abdominal region extension of said bust member whereby a straight front effect is produced, and shoulder straps connecting said members.

22. An article of apparel forming a com-- bined undergarment, corset and brassiere, and adapted to cover the body from the busts to substantially the thighs, comprising a bust member adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and support the busts, the ends of said member being adjustably connected, a second confining menr ber adapted to extend around the body and to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips, thighs and abdomen, said memher having its ends adjustably connected. at the front over the abdomen, and shoulder straps connecting said members.

23. A garment of the class described, forming a combined undergarment, corset and brassiere, comprising a bust member adapted toextend around the body and to overlie and support the busts, said member having a downwardly extending front portion adapted to overlie the abdominal region, the parts of said member being adjustably connected around the body, and a second independent confining member adapted to extend around the body to overlie and confine the body in the vicinity of the hips and abdomen, said second member overlying the abdominal region extension of said bust member, the parts of said second member being adjustably connected, and said members being independently adjustable.

Signed by me this 5th day of April, 1922.

WALDEMAR KOPS. 

